Wind Turbines on School Property Probably Not a Permanent Solution to Pollution Problems
Should government buildings run off our alternative energy power? Should our military bases go all solar, and our Universities and schools run off wind power? Is this how we should bring ourselves into that future and propel our mission to a cleaner tomorrow - many say yes.
But I'd say we need to proceed with caution, not merely passion.
We need a plan, a strategy, and we need to do what makes sense, without jumping into the unknown.
In fact, not long ago, there was an interesting article in the Desert Sun Newspaper (the local newspaper for the Coachella Valley area in California) titled; "Valley Schools to Get Windmills, Turbines" by Michelle Mitchell dated; December 26, 2010.
And in this article it told of both solar panels and wind turbine generators being placed adjacent or in some cases on school properties.
One of the lines in the article was; "officials say the alternative energy sources will both save money and augment learning," along with an official stating for the record; "It's a win-win for us and the school, and the community!" Ah, but is it really? Let me explain a very real concern and a highly researched counter argument to all this, one which might even sound counter-intuitive for those who think children should learn about the future of alternative energy, or that we need to reduce pollution, and our schools need the inexpensive power sources, those which are free and renewable.
You see, solar panels for schools make sense, because schools operate in the day time - when the sun is shining.
But with wind turbines, I have a problem.
First, off the ultra-sounds and noise these turbines put out can be rather challenging for human beings.
This could severely disrupt learning, the very opposite of what the newspaper claims.
Further, for those schools with autistic kids, or special education, it might be a very big problem, causing behavior issues, and serious side effects.
Remember special kids have trouble with cleaning chemicals, neon lights, and all sorts of other things too.
So, these are just a few of the reasons that wind turbines and wind generators on school property or even real close to schools is probably not a permanent solution to pollution problems.
In fact, it could have disastrous effects on learning and our kids.
So, where as it might be nice to teach our kids to understand the value of alternative energy, the last thing we want to do is hurt their brains, equilibrium, or bombard them with ultra-sound and drive them nuts.
Perhaps, all of this do-gooder, global warming alarmist, and alternative energy religion has just gone too far.
See that point.
Indeed, I am up for dialogue on this topic if you are, and I'd appreciate your correspondence and courtesy.
I hope you will please consider all this and think on it, as there are better ways to promote an alternative energy future than driving off a cliff into the river of unintended consequences.
Yes, this is a very serious issue.
But I'd say we need to proceed with caution, not merely passion.
We need a plan, a strategy, and we need to do what makes sense, without jumping into the unknown.
In fact, not long ago, there was an interesting article in the Desert Sun Newspaper (the local newspaper for the Coachella Valley area in California) titled; "Valley Schools to Get Windmills, Turbines" by Michelle Mitchell dated; December 26, 2010.
And in this article it told of both solar panels and wind turbine generators being placed adjacent or in some cases on school properties.
One of the lines in the article was; "officials say the alternative energy sources will both save money and augment learning," along with an official stating for the record; "It's a win-win for us and the school, and the community!" Ah, but is it really? Let me explain a very real concern and a highly researched counter argument to all this, one which might even sound counter-intuitive for those who think children should learn about the future of alternative energy, or that we need to reduce pollution, and our schools need the inexpensive power sources, those which are free and renewable.
You see, solar panels for schools make sense, because schools operate in the day time - when the sun is shining.
But with wind turbines, I have a problem.
First, off the ultra-sounds and noise these turbines put out can be rather challenging for human beings.
This could severely disrupt learning, the very opposite of what the newspaper claims.
Further, for those schools with autistic kids, or special education, it might be a very big problem, causing behavior issues, and serious side effects.
Remember special kids have trouble with cleaning chemicals, neon lights, and all sorts of other things too.
So, these are just a few of the reasons that wind turbines and wind generators on school property or even real close to schools is probably not a permanent solution to pollution problems.
In fact, it could have disastrous effects on learning and our kids.
So, where as it might be nice to teach our kids to understand the value of alternative energy, the last thing we want to do is hurt their brains, equilibrium, or bombard them with ultra-sound and drive them nuts.
Perhaps, all of this do-gooder, global warming alarmist, and alternative energy religion has just gone too far.
See that point.
Indeed, I am up for dialogue on this topic if you are, and I'd appreciate your correspondence and courtesy.
I hope you will please consider all this and think on it, as there are better ways to promote an alternative energy future than driving off a cliff into the river of unintended consequences.
Yes, this is a very serious issue.
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